The 9th classic endurance race – Cartegena, Spain, September 2005
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Steelcraft Racing goes continental
The drive to Cartegena was an easy 22 hour journey, in plenty of time for practice on Friday which all went to plan, including using Steelcrafts own design of quick fuelling rig for the fist time, which, if we say so ourselves was the most efficient in the pits. Timed practice was on Saturday morning followed by qualifying. We qualified 11th on the grid out of a field of 35. The 6hr race started at midday and saw Mark Capewell take the Honda through to 6th place in the opening laps followed by Stuart Noble then Andrew Hunt, rider changes were at approximately 30 minute intervals. After a succession of blistering pit stops and consistent riding from the team we were soon up into the lead of our class (750cc sport to 1976) and 2nd overall. This position was held until catastrophic engine failure occurred on the Honda with just half an hour to go. The Norton Atlas was warmed up while the Honda was pushed back to the pits, very hard work in the 35° of Spanish sun. The Norton ran faultlessly for the last half hour of the race. Swapping bikes meant a five lap penalty, and two laps were lost pushing the Honda back to the pits. The final outcome was we finished the race 2nd in our class and were fourth overall.
Thanks to all those that helped Mark Capewell (Star Rider) Pete Lovell (Pit Crew Chief), Tony Brown (Honda Owner), all our pit crew, sponsors and many others.
